Info

Album: 我很忙 / On the Run (Buy Album)

Artist: 周杰倫 / Jay Chou

Release Date: November 2, 2007

Tracklisting:

1. 牛仔很忙 (Cowboy On The Run)
2. 彩虹 (Rainbow)
3. 青花瓷 (Blue and White)
4. 陽光宅男 (Sunshine Homeboy)
5. 蒲公英的約定 (Dandelion’s Promise)
6. 無雙 (Unparalleled)
7. 我不配 (I’m Not Worthy)
8. 扯 (Tear)
9. 甜甜的 (Sweet)
10. 最長的電影 (The Longest Movie)

Review By: illuminance

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Blurb

Well, after so much waiting, it’s finally here! 我很忙/On The Run - perhaps an album that had many worried and other ecstatic. After listening to it for a couple of days (after all, it was leaked on Halloween 2007), I’d say that in reality there wasn’t that much to be worried about, and there’s certainly a lot to be happy for.

The album certainly showcases Jay Chou’s versatility well. Arguably one of his greatest abilities is to perform in a wide variety on genres and styles, and it is definitely reflected in “On The Run”. From the country/folk of 牛仔很忙 (Cowboy on the Run) to the R&B of 扯 (Tear), there’s a lot to consider. In such a way, people may like or dislike Jay Chou, but no one’s going to call him boring.

Let us begin with the controversial first track, 牛仔很忙 (Cowboy On The Run). It’s definitely the most controversial Chinese song of the whole year. To my knowledge, there’s never been a Chinese song sung in a Western country style, and many feared that “On The Run” would be defined by this song alone, but it isn’t. The song itself has definitely grown on me since my first look at it 3 weeks ago. I have to agree with some of my readers that it’s quite catchy. Yet the song itself is comedic (the music video too) - it was as if Jay Chou knew that listeners would never take a Chinese Western song seriously. Lyrics such as “我雖然是個牛仔　在酒吧只點牛奶” (Though I’m a cowboy, I only order milk at the bar) and “我啦啦啦騎毛驢　因為馬跨不上去” (I ride a donkey, because I can’t mount the horse) definitely lend to its light-hearted feel. Far from cheapening the song, they lend to the song its endearing feel.

The second song on the album is also one that was released to radio stations in Taiwan early - 彩虹 (Rainbow). It’s definitely a slow song about love lost, and the lyrics were written by Jay himself (not Vincent Fang). It’s very melodious, and I like it very much.

Then. on 青花瓷 (Blue and White, lit. Green Flower Pot) we begin to get some songs with lyrics written by Vincent Fang. 青花瓷 has the feel of a Chinese oldie song, with Chinese instruments in the background (I can’t quite place it, but I’d guess a guzheng or pipa). For me, I felt as if I was transported back to an era past - think 1920s-ish.

無雙 (Unparalleled) is something completely different. A rock song about war and battle, it’s similar to some earlier songs from 七里香. It’s the third song that was released to radio stations. I’d sum it up as saying it’s a typical Jay Chou song. Nothing particularly new here.

Perhaps one of the more interesting songs is 扯 (Tear), which of course, doesn’t really mean tear in slang. The beginning reminded me of 紅模仿’s “唉呦”, and this song is R&B with rap parts interspersed with someone singing really high (soprano). It’s a good song.

And finally, there’s 甜甜的 (Sweet), which is the only song that I can truly place into the “Pop” category. If you listen closely, you can hear the “smack” when he kisses, and the “choooo”. It truly brought a smile to my face.

I believe that 我很忙 is truly a good album, and is really good. It is of a different stylistic direction than 依然范特西 (Still Fantasy) last year - which is good! After all, isn’t change great?

Videos

Lyrics

牛仔很忙 / Cowboy on the Run

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彩虹 / Rainbow

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青花瓷 / Blue and White / Blue Flower Pot

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陽光宅男 / Sunshine Homeboy

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蒲公英的約定 /  Dandelion’s Promise

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無雙 / Unparalleled

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我不配 / I’m Not Worthy

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扯 / Tear

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甜甜的 / Sweet

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最長的電影 / The Longest Movie

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